Re: WCHA Thread V
Final Score From Friday, October 23rd
Ohio State 5
Minnesota State 3
Buckeyes Take Game One With Olympian Effort
Spotting the opposing team a two goal lead is generally a bad idea. But what the heck. At the coaching level, this was a clash between olympic titans. Why not add a few extra steps to the journey?
In the end, the olympian quest was successful. The Buckeyes scored five of the next six goals to overcome the shaky start.
But you know what? Maybe the start wasn't all that shaky. Truth be told, the Buckeyes carried the play from the beginning and had a significant zone time advantage. Consider the period-by-period shot stats:
1st: Buckeyes 10, Mavericks 4
2nd: Buckeyes 11, Mavericks 5
3rd: Buckeyes 14, Mavericks 3
Game Totals: Buckeyes 35, Mavericks 12
Pretty clear pattern there. Credit the Mavericks for making some great individual plays to make a real game of it. But the Buckeyes earned this victory.
The 3 Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial and Just For Fun
Minnesota State Honorable Mention: Anna Keys
Anna stood out in many ways. Her hard blast created the scoring opportunity on the game's first goal. On the Power Play, she repeatedly held in the puck at the point. On one PP opportunity I literally lost count. Four times? Five times? Also strong on 'D,' she finished the game at +1, despite her team's defeat.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Alexa Ranahan
Alexa found her way onto the scoresheet with two assists. We'll also let her represent the hustling Buckeye defense, which largely kept the Mavericks away from the Buckeye net.
#3 Star: Hannah Davidson, Minnesota State
Remember those great individual plays I mentioned? Hannah's was the best. Third period on the PK, trailing 3-2. Davidson stripped the puck from a Buckeye defender, creating her own breakaway. Hannah's shot was a thing of beauty; a shelfed backhander into the upper right hand corner. On another front, Davidson was 12 of 18 in the face-off circle.
#2 Star: Maddy Field, Ohio State
Maddy scored the first Buckeye goal, and it was huge. Crashing the net from the right side, she found the five hole to get the Buckeyes back on track. Without Maddy's goal, who knows? Maybe the Mavs circle the wagons and grab the win.
#1 Star: Claudia Kepler, Ohio State
Claudia's blossoming into a true power forward. Her two goals from close in were both go-ahead goals. Her assist came from winning a battle along the side boards. Kepler's three point night led all scorers.
On the GWG, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention
Dani Sadek's brilliant end-to-end rush. Escaping the Buckeye zone with a brilliant spin move at the blue line, Sadek carried the puck all the way behind the Mankato net. When Dani emerged on the other side, Claudia was controlling the slot, waiting for the pass. Accurate pass, successful shot. Play of the game. The goal gave the Buckeyes a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Next Up: The Saturday Afternoon Rematch. Face-Off at 1:07 PM EST. Remember the early start!